Back to the real world following championship

Six months later, two different teams, and a whirlwind of a minor-league season has finally come to an end.

My sixth season in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization ended on a great note though, which makes the off-season that much better. We, the Reno Aces, were crowned Triple-A National Champions after a 10-3 victory over the Pawtucket Red Sox last week in Durham, N.C.

The game was unreal, but the week as a whole was one I will never forget.

Once we arrived in Durham, we went directly to our host hotel -the Downtown Marriott. The lobby was decked out in Durham Bulls and Triple-A National Championship decorations. It definitely had the feel of a special game.

To top it off, when we checked in at the front desk, each player received an envelope with a Durham Bulls logo on it. When I opened it up, it had $90 in it. We also received our daily meal money ($25) from the Diamondbacks, so we all thought the cash was our playoff bonus.

We were designated the home team since the PCL won the All-Star game earlier in the season. A goodie bag was placed in front of each locker when we arrived at Durham Athletic Park. We didn't get an iPod or an Xbox like they get in a college national championship game, but we appreciated the gesture. Each player received a Triple-A title hat and drinking cup.

Once we finished practice, we headed to the gala that was scheduled for the teams. I was pumped because it was at Cameron Indoor Stadium, home of the Duke Blue Devils. I grew up a huge Duke basketball fan and actually attended a Florida State game there was I was young.

When we arrived at Cameron, officials gave players an option of going left to the gala or right to the basketball court. That was a no brainer. A bunch of players from both teams got to shoot hoops on the court.

Once we moved over to the gala and sat down for dinner, we were surprised to have Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski), head basketball coach at Duke, as the guest speaker. It was awesome to hear a legend speak, and he did a great job. When coach finished, we went outside, where they had dueling pianos going and it turned into a fun, little party.

The next morning, we woke up to pouring rain. We heard the game could be postponed to Wednesday if needed, but that was the last thing every player wanted to hear. Everyone had their hearts set on being home by Wednesday, and a few guys already bought their plane tickets.

Mother Nature cooperated. The rain held off long enough to play the game, though all the pregame activities were canceled. All we had to do was show up and play, and that's what we did. We scored three runs in the first and cruised to a 10-3 victory.

It started to rain in the final few innings, but it didn't matter. When the last out was made, we rushed the field. Jumping, yelling, hugging and slapping hands. Were were Triple-A national champions. After we received the trophy and snapped a team picture, the party continued in the clubhouse.

You guessed it, another champagne shower. It was spectacular in different ways, too. Not only could we celebrate on the season's last day as champions, it represented the last baseball day for one of our teammates.

Catcher Ryan Budde, 33, who played at Oklahoma State and started playing professionally in 2002, is retiring. He gave a touching speech that left himself and others in tears. He then got bombarded and sprayed with champagne. To send him out on top was an awesome feeling.

Of course, the party didn't end in the clubhouse. Our owners rented the sports bar beyond the left-field wall in the stadium for us. And the owners of the sports bar sent us back to the hotel with a bunch of goodies, too. Everyone knew this was the last game of the year and everyone couldn't wait to get home, but nobody wanted to say goodbye.

Back at the hotel, everyone pulled out chairs and benches from their rooms into the hallway - we had an entire floor to ourselves. All that was missing was a bonfire in that hallway. In what seemed like a flash, it was time to go. Seriously. We went straight from our hallway to the team bus to the airport.

As happy as you are to go home, it was sad to leave the guys because for half-a-year, they are family, too. It was quickly back to the real world for me. In fact, I already started my off-season gig at The Powermill Sports Facility, where I teach pitching lessons and direct a shoulder strengthening program.

But 2012 was an incredible season, one I will never forget. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to share the journey, all the ups and downs, with you. Next week, I will talk about the off-season, the schedule that comes with it and what I want to accomplish in preparation for spring training next March.

Bryan Henry, a former first-team All-American at Florida State and ACC Pitcher of the Year (2007), writes a weekly column for the Tallahassee Democrat on his life in the minors.

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Back to the real world following championship

Six months later, two different teams, and a whirlwind of a minor-league season has finally come to an end. My sixth season in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization ended on a great note though,